MLS
Jim Curtin to become Austin FC head coach
The 2027 “Sprint Season” in MLS will mark the first for Oreland, Pa. native Jim Curtin at the helm of Austin FC.
Curtin was announced earlier this week as the new head coach of Austin FC but won’t take over the post until after the conclusion of the 2026 season.
The job will be Curtin’s first in MLS outside the Philadelphia Union organization.
Curtin joined the Union organization in 2010 as a coach in the academy system and
worked his way up to the head coach position in 2014, initially as an interim after John Hackworth was fired mid-season. Curtin led the Union as head coach for a decade until his firing after the 2024 season.
Along the way, Curtin was named MLS Sigi Schmid coach of the Year in 2020 and 2022, winning the 2020 Supporters’ Shield and the 2022 Eastern Conference Title. The Union never accomplished the ultimate goal during Curtin’s reign, but came close on multiple occasions. Curtin brought sustained relevance and playoff appearances to a club that had not experienced anything of the sort prior to his time as head coach.
Curtin released a statement regarding the news. “I am incredibly honored to be named the Head Coach of Austin FC. This is a moment I will never forget, and I’m grateful to Anthony Precrout, Andy Loughnane, and the club’s ownership group for the trust placed in me,” Curtin remarked.
“From our very first conversation, they shared a vision for Austin FC that is bold, ambitious, and built for the long term. Their belief in what this club can become is contagious, and I’m proud to help bring that vision to life.”
“I had several other opportunities, both within MLS and abroad, but none of them excited me the way this project did. The city of Austin is unlike anywhere else and the chance to compete for this community was simply too compelling to pass up,” Curtin said.
Austin FC’s announcement comes at a time in which the Union have a vacancy at the head coach position. Bradley Carnell was recently fired after 1 win in their first 15 games and the club has begun a “global search” for the next skipper. Ryan Richter has assumed the role of Interim Head Coach in the meantime.
With Curtin turning down multiple positions in the previous year, there were questions regarding the role he would assume at Austin. In May, Austin announced the firing of both head coach Nico Estévez and Sporting Director Rodolfo Borrell, indicating a complete
change of direction for the club. When Gregg Berhalter returned to MLS after his time as USMNT Head Coach, he secured a dual role with Chicago Fire as Director of Football and Head Coach. Unlike Berhalter, Curtin will not assume a director role, and Austin have noted that the search for their next Sporting Director is still ongoing.
“As we continue our search for the right Sporting Director, we recognized a unique opportunity to bring in one of Major League Soccer’s most accomplished coaches to Austin FC,” said Anthony Precourt, CEO and Owner of Austin FC. “We remain committed to identifying the right Sporting Director to help build the long-term sporting vision for the club and establish repeatable success. Jim’s pending arrival represents an important signal as to the competitive standards that our club desires and our fanbase deserves.”
Curtin rejoins the ranks of MLS coaches with local ties. Originally from Oreland, Pennsylvania, Curtin played high school soccer at Bishop McDevitt before playing college soccer at Villanova. Other MLS coaches with Philadelphia Union roots and other local ties include B.J. Callaghan (who Curtin initially worked with at Villanova after ending his playing career and later hired an assistant on his staff), Pat Noonan, and new Union interim Head Coach Ryan Richter, who was a former Philadelphia Union player and first team assistant.
Curtin will assume the role at the end of Austin FC’s 2026 season. In the meantime, Davy Arnaud will serve as interim for
the remainder of 2026. The Union will face Austin FC this year on August 22 nd but will not face Curtin until next season or beyond.
